# Inbreeding - how not to make a biological mess.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inbreeding-how-not-to-make-a-biological-mess/291835>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 25, 2005, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inbreeding-how-not-to-make-a-biological-mess/291835 "2005-02-25T06:11:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mmmdamm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Mmmdamm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mmmdamm)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inbreeding-how-not-to-make-a-biological-mess/291835/1 "2005-02-25T06:11:43Z")

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I was wondering if one theoretically wanted to start a new civilization  
or colony somewhere, what would be the minimum number of people needed to  
insure that there will no inbreeding? This assumes that there are no frozen  
eggs or sperm or other such external aids. I know that royalty used to breed  
within their lineage to keep the blood pure, but I also read that this lead  
to a higher rate of children with health problems. 😕 600? 6000? 2? 😉  
Thanks.